This is my first challenge, please be kind!

Here is my Tea Cup Back Pack

I overbought at Dollar Tree, not knowing what materials would work out the best. I discarded the T-shirts (well, we will use them! just not in this challenge) and the Shiny Purses (they were 2/$1).

I used:
5 Tea Towels
1 Slouchy Bag Backpack
1 Cosmetic Bag
1 Three Ring Binder
1 package of Play Clay
1 package of stretchy Hair Bands
I used some thread and some Mod Podge from my own materials.

I chose to make a backpack...without a pattern. I just started cutting and sewing. I cut the Three Ring Binder (sorry about the typo on the picture) into strips and used them for ribs similar to boning...

I cut the cosmetic bag apart, used the body of the bag to give some "body" to the flap and used the zippers for pockets
inside pocket
hidden back pocket (wallet not included in challenge)

I made buttons out of the Play-Clay stuff by mixing colors and shaping them into buttons (it darkened as it dried). I thought it would be fun to make a teacup button to go with the tea cups on the tea towels.

I used the hairbands to make button loops on the front and the cell phone pocket

I used the sloppy backpack for fabric, drawstring and straps (I fancied up the boring, plain black shoulder straps with some of the tea towel fabric)  - the slippery black fabric is used for lining in the pockets

The interior is very roomy, with a section of the three ring binder providing some stiffness in the bottom. Here is an in-use shot with a thick novel, my stainless steel water bottle and a friend to keep me company, with room to spare!

Here are a couple of action shots with my niece who is visiting

she said the backpack is very comfortable


Thanks for looking!

JOY

agreed, it is a serger.

I have done something similar on my domestic sewing machine with a close-to-satin stitch. It is easier to do it on the serger, IMO.

JOY

I am almost done! I've been working on and off with this for two weeks and poured a couple of hours into it last evening and just have a few things to do to finish up Then take pics and wait...I think that will be the hardest!

How are y'alls getting yours done in just a couple of hours?? I've had to think so far out of the box with this challenge that I've been having nightmares dreaming of possible solutions!

JOY

those are so CUTE! They would be fun to play with!

JOY

that is really nice Your mom should be ecstatic!

JOY

that is cute ~ and perfect size!

and I like the apples

JOY

I just got back from Dollar Tree with a basket full of "goodies" and will start deconstructing them AFTER I take a picture (now where are the batteries for the camera??).

JOY

that is SO cute!

is it from a pattern or your own design?

JOY

nice, I like all the pockets 

JOY

It is perfect - and that camo fabric is lovely 

JOY